LIFE CHANGING COMMUNITY

Recently, my husband and I went to view the overflow at Tinaroo Dam in Far North Queensland. Although we live in this beautiful part of Australia, we forget to take time to enjoy the natural and man-made resources around us. Tinaroo Dam is a valuable resource to this area - it ensures that the drier areas around Mareeba have water (through a channel system), local towns have water, and it provides opportunities for recreational activities and recreational activities sustaining local wildlife and farming land. As I was reflecting, I realized that often we often forget to express appreciation to our Team.  The "Team" may be where we work, or a local N-F-P group we are part of, it might be our family or close friends who get together to support us. Life happens and becomes busy.  We are often so busy doing life, that we forget to stop and live life! So, today, how can you affirm your Team? How can you express your gratitude? Let's go out for a coffee together, or even a quic

When some people hear the word 'Declutter', they inwardly groan, roll their eyes, or make excuses. For years, I held onto 'stuff'. There was no real reason except, that in the back of my mind, I reasoned it might be needed one day and we had worked hard to obtain it. Then in 2020, the world turned upside down. We began going through the stored boxes in the shed. Opening some of the boxes revealed items that had been packed from moving back in 2007!  During the Christmas holidays at the end of 2020, I began the process of 'decluttering' the house. Beginning wasn't easy. I read articles, watched shows, and started small. After winter and then after again Christmas, I always felt overwhelmed by so much stuff around the house. Everyday cleaning seemed to be moving items around but never decreasing the volume of things. We had talked about installing furniture to display our treasured pieces. So beginning with the bookcase, then progressing to wardrobes, kitchen

  You've read the saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Being organized and ensuring you have your day planned out, helps in planning to succeed, instead of planning to fail. Over many years, I have watched many people both succeed and fail.  Some tell me, "I just go with the flow!", or "I can't plan past the new couple of days, it's just too far."  Others tell me how they have planned out their goals and what actions will need to be undertaken up to a year or more ahead so that they have the best possible chance of success.  The difference between these two types?   Simply, it's having an action plan in place and ensuring that they consistently work towards the goal they have set rather than "let's hope for the best". This quote, I think sums up 2023 for me and part of what I want to achieve:  "To be successful at anything, you must simply be what most people aren't: Consistent."  (Anon) How can you begin t

 Reflecting on the year we have journeyed through has been one of challenges and change. Change occurs, even when we do all we can to ensure that we continue our path in comfort and routine.  Sometimes, the pathway is rocky with pebbles we slip on or stones on which we stub our toe; there may be a large rock that requires help to push out of the way. As we journey together on life's path, let's help one another by sweeping off, picking up, and removing the stones that people slip on or stub their toes on.  We must learn to ask for help when the large rocks cannot be removed by our strength alone. What are a few practical ideas we can undertake to prepare for the new year? Declutter your office.  Don't be afraid to work through the paperwork and items in your office and make some tough decisions about what is really needed or what should be relocated to another area of your house. Plan and set up your daily/weekly/monthly planner. (I use a color-coded system to assist with k

Right now - where are you in your dreams, life, job, and plans? Content? Perhaps you're between jobs, looking for a change, wanting to embrace a dream or use your talents to create your own business? There is only one (1) of you. Whatever your past, you are one of a kind. Unique! How can you embrace your experiences, talents and skills to make a difference in your life and your community? In the book of Esther, we read about a young woman whose life was interrupted by a king. Did she have control of her life? Probably not, as far as being gathered with other young women, placed at the Palace, given beauty treatments, etc. Sounds glamorous, doesn't it? However, Esther was not able to go before the King unless summoned. Her life was dictated by another.  Yet, when Esther had to face hard decisions, she fasts and prays, asking others of her faith in the city come alongside her and do the same. Her uncle tells Esther, "The fact is, even if you remain silent now, someone else w

Over the past few months, significant changes have occurred in our family life. Changes in employment, our youngest graduating from High School, and myself, taking up a new Not-For-Profit executive position. Change can bring the feeling of being uncomfortable and challenging, and certainly cause you to either embrace it or hide away. Undergoing change in your life is not comfortable. Often friendships formed in the workplace, and other organizations change, even end. Relationships change. Finances change. Family life changes. Recently, I have been reflecting on how to embrace the changes positively. Is this easy? No. But to live life to be effective means being willing to change, even when your mind is screaming NO! To begin this process, I have begun: Getting up earlier in the morning and having breakfast (or a cuppa) with my husband. General House tidy-up (making the bed, cleaning bench tops, washing, dishes, general household duties). Set time aside for reflecting on God’s Word. Dea